Plan & prepare

Descending Upper Joe Waterfall

Getting there

Mt Aspiring National Park straddles the southern end of the Southern Alps. The closest towns are Wanaka, Queenstown, Glenorchy and Te Anau. It is one of New Zealand's larger parks at 355,543 hectares and it lies alongside the largest, Fiordland National Park.

In the northwest the park is traversed by State Highway 6. Good tramping tracks and short walks can be accessed from the small settlement of Makarora between Haast and Wanaka.

Roads also lead to main access points from Wanaka, Queenstown/Glenorchy and Te Anau.

Bus services to Queenstown, Wanaka and Te Anau are frequent. Shuttle services also run to most access points in the park including a boat service from Glenorchy to the Greenstone Valley.

Queenstown has an airport with regular services.

Safety

If you use the track system in the park for overnight trips, make sure you are properly equipped and well prepared.

Make sure your group has a capable leader and that everyone is carrying a sleeping bag, cooking utensils, sufficient high energy food (with some extra for emergencies), a waterproof raincoat and overtrousers, gloves, a hat, and several layers of warm (wool or fleece) clothing.

Please check in at any of the local Department of Conservation offices for up-to-date information on weather and track conditions. Fill in an intention form at the office and remember to let them know when you have completed your trip.